The Junior Springboks will defend their World Rugby U20 Championship title after beating England 53-37 in the semifinal in Tbilisi, setting up a final against France on Saturday at the Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, kickoff 6.30pm.
Khuthadzo Rasivhaga ran in three tries while Yaqeen Ahmed finished with 23 points — a try, six conversions and two penalties — as the Junior Boks cut loose in the second half after a more measured first. Kebotile Maake crossed twice and Luke Cannon added another, with England's five tries through Hugh Shields (2), Ollie Streeter, Jonny Weimann and Tate Williams never enough to threaten the margin.
Coach Kevin Foote pointed to composure, structural discipline and sustained pressure as the decisive factors. "At halftime it was really about us looking after the ball a little better and making sure we could keep applying pressure on England consistently," he said. "What pleased us most was the maturity the players showed — they went back after halftime, stuck to our processes and executed very well in the second half."
Foote acknowledged England's fight but noted his side found their rhythm as the game progressed despite difficult conditions. He singled out the impact of the bench as central to the performance, a theme throughout the tournament. "When the replacements come on, they really lift the team. We have a very talented squad with great depth."
The forwards also drew specific praise. This was the squad's fourth game in three weeks, and Foote credited his leadership group for maintaining intensity through the physical accumulation of the tournament.
France, who edged New Zealand 26-22 in the earlier semifinal, are Six Nations champions at U20 level and Foote is not underestimating the threat. "Against New Zealand they worked hard, stayed in the fight right until the end and showed tremendous spirit. They're going to be a huge challenge."
The final moves from the Avchala Stadium, where the Junior Boks played all four of their pool and knockout matches, to the Mikheil Meskhi Stadium.